At the Melbourne Motor Show on 5-6 April, Chinese commercial-vehicle and ute maker JAC will shift the spotlight from its traditional diesel line-up to electric vehicles, unveiling two Australia-firsts: the production T9 EV Dual-Cab 4×4 ute and the DE-FINE concept coupe.
T9 EV: a practical BEV ute with worksite credentials
The T9 EV is a production model that made its global debut in China about a year ago. Built on the same platform as the combustion-engined T9 but reworked to accommodate an LFP battery in the floor, the electric ute pairs dual motors with combined outputs of 220 kW and 516 Nm. JAC quotes a 0-100 km/h time of 8.5 seconds and a WLTP driving range of about 330 km.
Charging is supported via both AC and DC, with a 15-80 per cent DC charge time of roughly 40 minutes, and the vehicle includes an external power socket for Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) uses such as running tools on site. The T9 EV is rated to carry a 900 kg payload and its tub will accept a full-size Australian pallet between the wheel arches – important practical markers for tradies and fleet buyers. Inside, the cabin mirrors the space and equipment of the turbo-diesel T9 that arrived in Australia late in 2024.
At present, JAC has not confirmed plans to bring the EV T9 into Australian showrooms. For context, the market currently offers only one battery-electric ute on sale – the premium, rear-wheel-drive LDV eT60 – though LDV plans to add the eTerron 9 BEV in the second quarter of 2025.
DE-FINE concept: a tech showcase, not a production promise
Contrasting the pragmatic T9 EV, the DE-FINE is a striking four-door coupe concept that previews JAC’s high-performance and high-voltage ambitions. It showcases an 800-volt electrical architecture and a new 460 kW e-motor that uses silicon-carbide technology to improve efficiency and power delivery; JAC claims a 0-100 km/h launch time of about three seconds. The DE-FINE is built on a new platform designed to be compatible with two- and four-wheel configurations and could, in theory, support hybrid layouts and battery-swap systems.
Interior highlights include a four-seat layout, a full-width 50-inch digital instrument panel paired with a 15.6-inch infotainment screen, an unconventional rectangle-shaped steering wheel and JAC’s third-generation driver-assist suite. Despite bringing the DE-FINE to Australia to show what’s possible, JAC has already ruled out a direct production version of the concept.
What this means for Australia
JAC’s displays at the Melbourne Motor Show underline how rapidly the electric-vehicle conversation is evolving in Australia – from concept exotica to practical workhorses. The T9 EV, if confirmed for local sale, would broaden choices for commercial and trades buyers seeking EV alternatives, while the DE-FINE signals technologies that may filter down into future JAC models. For now, availability and pricing remain unknown, and fleet buyers will be watching charging capability, payload figures and local support more closely than concept-car theatrics.
Conclusion
JAC’s presence at the Melbourne Motor Show, with both a production-oriented EV ute and a high-tech concept, reflects the dual track many manufacturers are following: offering immediate, practical electric solutions while demonstrating next-generation technologies. Whether the T9 EV will make it into Australian showrooms remains uncertain, but its specifications suggest a credible contender for tradies and fleets should JAC decide to localise it. The DE-FINE, meanwhile, highlights the firm’s technical direction – even if it’s not destined for production, its innovations may influence future, more attainable models.
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